Dannie's Designs

Big Shot Swap Card

Last week I had my downline meeting and I needed to make some swap cards.  I decided to pull out my Big Shot and see what I could come up with.  

Usually at this point I go into detail and tell you what products I used to make my cards.  Unfortunately that's not going to happen today.  I had all of these great plans to post on my blog while I'm on vacation, but I left the paper at home where I had listed all of the supplies that I used to make my projects.  Oops!  Yes, I could go through Stampin' Up!'s online catalog to look up all of the supplies and guess at the cardstock colors, but did I mention I'm on vacation?  In other words, I'll post all of the products I used once I get back.  I am enjoying the time to do absolutely nothing and be lazy for a change.

In the meantime, here's a closer look at the cards.

I used the same five colors for all of the cards.

I ran all five colors once through the Big Shot using the flower die.

I mixed and matched each of the flowers so that each of the five layers on the flower was a different color.

I also mixed and matched the color of the Top Note die, the layer behind the sentiment, and the card base.

Even though they're basically the same, they each have such a different look.  I think the top card is my favorite.  Which one do you like the best?

I will be back to fill in the details and give the recipe so you know what colors, Big Shot dies, punches, etc. I used.  Thanks for stopping by!

Card recipe coming soon

I Love You Card

I was recently looking through my Stampin' Success magazine (a newsletter for Stampin' Up! demonstrators) and I came across a gorgeous card by Kirsteen Gill.  I really liked the way she used the new Adorning Accents Embosslits and the Adorning Accents Embossing Folders to create a gorgeous edge on her card.  Of course I had to try to make one of my own.

I followed the same general layout that Kirsteen used, but I changed the papers to give it a different look.  Here's a closer look at the flower.

I embossed the flower using Whisper White ink and Whisper White embossing powder.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but the center is a different image from the same stamp set that I embossed, punched out with a circle punch, and added to the center of the flower with a dimensional.  Also, if you look closely at the photo you can see that I used seven pearls on the flower.  One in the center and one towards the end of each petal.

It was a little bit tricky lining up all of the edges of the cardstock so the scallops looked nice, but I'm pleased with how the card turned out.  Thank you Kirsteen for the inspiration and thank you for stopping by!

Card recipe coming soon

Scalloped Heart Treat Container

I've been busy working on another Valentine's Day project.  It's a scalloped heart treat container.

I filled it with a bag of Valentine's Day colored M&M's.

Here's a look from a slightly different angle.  This would make a great gift not only for Valentine's Day, but also for any other time of year you'd like to let someone know you're thinking of them.

The tutorial for this box will be coming soon.  I'm still working on it, but I will let you know as soon as it's finished.  Thanks for stopping by!

Flower Card

I don't know what it is about this winter, but I haven't been sick like this in a long time.  My kids come home with a small cold that just knocks me off my feet.  They get better quickly and I'm miserable for weeks.  Oh, the joys of parenthood!

Last week I made some time to sneak into my craft room and stamp.  However, I felt so miserable that I didn't have the energy to post it on here until today. 

The inspiration for this card came from page 18 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  It's the card on the left side.  I don't have the Designer Printed Kit that's shown on that page so I made the flower with the Fun Flowers big shot die.  You can't see it in the photo, but I sprayed the flower with Shimmer Spray.

This is the first time I've made a card where I layered cardstock tone on tone.  I was so tempted to sponge around the edges of the sentiment so it would stand out from the background.  I resisted the urge and instead I simply popped the sentiment up on a dimensional.

I finished the card off with some ribbon, some embossing on the Old Olive layer, and a butterfly.  The Big Shot makes this card a breeze to make.  Now I just need to make several more so I can send out birthday cards for next month.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Sweet Cake
Paper:  Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Ink:  Not Quite Navy
Accessories:  Clear Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals, Bashful Blue Ribbon, Shimmer Spray
Big Shot:  Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, Fun Flowers Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Valentine's Pencil Topper

Today I'm back to show you another one of my Valentine's Day creations.  Besides treats, my kids also like giving pencils to their classmates.  Rather than make cards and tape the pencils to them, I thought I'd make the pencil into a Valentine.

Here's a look at the front of the pencil topper.  The scalloped heart is from the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die.  I stamped the heart image and then punched it out using the Full Heart Punch.

The other side of the pencil topper (it has a heart on both sides) has a place for them to write who the Valentine goes to. 

I know you're going to ask, so I already made a tutorial for these pencil toppers.  They are very easy to make.

Step 1:  Cut a piece of cardstock 3/4" x 3".  Score it at 3/4", 1 1/4", 2", and 2 1/2".

It's difficult to see the score lines in the photo above, so I traced over them in pencil for the photo below.

Step 2:  Punch the small flower image (from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack) out of the second scored section.  Add a piece of sticky strip to the last section.

Note:  This flower punch was the best fit for the size of a pencil.  A 1/4" circle punch is too small and the 3/8" circle punch is too big and the pencil topper falls off.  The flower punch holds it snugly.

Step 3:  Fold on the score lines and adhere it together using the Sticky Strip.

Step 4:  Making sure that the punched out flower is at the bottom, adhere the hearts to the front and back of the pencil topper.

Step 5:  Insert the pencil and it's done!

They are that simple to make.  If you have any questions or would like to order supplies to make this, please don't hesitate to contact me.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Loving Hearts, All Year Cheer II
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette
Accessories:  Sticky Strip, Paper Scorer
Punches:  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Full Heart
Big Shot:  Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die

Valentine's Treat

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  The holidays were really relaxing for me and I enjoyed the time my kids had off from school.  It was nice not waking up to an alarm clock for a couple of weeks.  They are now all back in school and I'm hoping I'll be able to return to my normal schedule.  While I'm grateful for the time to myself during the day, that alarm clock sure does ring early! 

I missed the opportunity to stamp many Christmas projects, so I thought I'd get an early start on Valentine's Day.  I want to come up with something fun to stamp for all of the Valentine's that my kids have to take to school. 

I used the Petal Cone Big Shot Die and folded it in half to make this treat pouch.  I stamped the Blushing Bride cardstock with Blushing Bride ink using one of the flower images from the Mixed Bunch stamp set.  The sentiment came from the Outlined Occasions stamp set that you can earn for FREE during Sale-a-bration (starting January 24th).  I stamped it in Riding Hood Red ink and colored in the letters with Blushing Bride ink.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but I finished off the scallops by poking holes in them with my paper piercing tool.

I designed this project with a sucker in mind.  For some reason my kids don't feel like their Valentine's are complete without including a treat of some kind or at least a pencil.  They're too funny.

I'm not sure if I will be making these for my kids, but this is prototype number one.  I'll be making a few more and then letting them vote on which ones they want to make for their classes.  I have a lot to make so it feels good to get a head start on this project.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Mixed Bunch, Outlined Occasions
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride
Accessories:  Paper Piercer
Big Shot:  Petal Cone

Top Note Gift Card Holder

I'm back home after traveling this past weekend to attend my 20 year high school reunion.  It was great seeing my classmates after all of these years.  I even got to go see my high school marching band perform.  That brought back so many good memories.  Of course while I was there I also got to see my mom, my sister, my nieces, and nephew.  It was a great trip and I had a wonderful time. 

I don't have the tutorial finished that I mentioned in the last post because I've been busy traveling.  I do, however, promise to have that done and posted in the next day or two.  I just have a couple more photos to take and some editing to do.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you a great project that Kathleen brought to my downline shoebox swap.

It's difficult to see in the photo, but the light blue layer was run through the Big Shot using the Snow Burst embossing folder.  Normally the snowflakes would be sticking out of the paper, but I turned the paper over so that the snowflakes were indented and dipped down into the paper.  I hope that makes sense.  It gave it a slightly different look that seemed to go better with the die cut snowflakes.

The Top Note die was cut a little differently so that when you open the Top Note piece...

it reveals a gift card inside.  Isn't that such a fun idea?  Kathleen made a great tutorial and she gave me permission to share it with you.  You can download Kathleen's picture tutorial by clicking here.  At the bottom of her tutorial you will also find a link to a video tutorial that she used to make this project. 

I hope you enjoy making one of these for yourself.  Thank you Kathleen for sharing this project and your tutorial with all of us!

Paper Quilling

At my downline meeting Mona taught us how to do paper quilling.  Here's the project we all made.

It was so difficult to get a decent picture because my camera was going crazy with all of the shadows and spaces between the curled paper.  It couldn't quite focus correctly (Yes, I need a new camera...I just need to get the money together first.).  Here's a different angle.

All of the strips of cardstock are 1/8" wide and about 4" long.   This is a very easy technique to do and the results are beautiful.

Tip:  If you want to add paper quilling to a box like this one, glue all of the paper quilling to the box BEFORE you assemble the box together.  It's much easier to glue in place when the box is flat.

In order to do this technique you need:

• Strips of cardstock (1/8" x 4")
• Bone Folder
• Glue (I used Tombow Mono Multi)
• Round Toothpick

Step 1:  Take the strip of cardstock and run it across the bone folder to break up the fibers.  You do this the same way you would curl ribbon with a pair of scissors.

Step 2:  Take one end of the cardstock and wrap it around the toothpick.  Continue wrapping the cardstock tightly around the toothpick until you reach the other end. 

Step 3:  Take the cardstock off of the toothpick.  You can keep the cardstock tightly wound or let it uncurl a little for more space between curls.  The end of the cardstock will uncurl the most and may stick out a little.  Add a drop of glue to the end of the cardstock and glue it in place.

Step 4:  Add a small amount of glue (you don't want it running up the sides of the curl) to the back of the curl and glue it in place.  You may find it easier to make a small puddle of glue on a scrap of paper or a paper plate so that you can dip the curl in the glue. 

Step 5:  Adhere the curl to the project and hold it for a few seconds until it sticks firmly in place.

Like I said, it's very easy to do.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

Milk Carton Box

Today I wanted to show you another great project that we made at my downline shoebox swap.  This project was provided by Elaine.

Isn't that the cutest box?  It's the perfect size for filling with chocolate or some other small gift.  I know you're going to ask how it's made, so I have a quick tutorial for you.

Step 1:  Cut out two of the Mini Milk Cartons using the Big Shot die.

As you can see in the photo (click to enlarge), the panel on the right of each milk carton was cut off.  Each milk carton has three panels on it plus the tab.  Do NOT cut off the side that has the tab on it because you need the tabs to put it together. 

Step 2:  Stamp your cardstock as desired.

Step 3:  You'll notice that at the top of the center panel on each milk carton, the score lines are different than the other two panels.  The first and third panels have score lines that look like an upside down "Y."  The center panel just has a slanted line.  Using a ruler and a bone folder, score the center panel so it looks like an upside down "Y" just like the other panels.  Do this to both pieces.

Step 4:  Add sticky strip to both tab pieces as seen in the photo above. 

Step 5:  Fold both of the milk cartons on all of the score lines.  Adhere both of the milk cartons together to form a hexagon.

Step 6:  As seen in the photo below, start with two tabs on the bottom that are opposite each other.  Adhere them together using sticky strip.  They should overlap 1/4"--just barely enough to cover the sticky strip.

Step 7:  Repeat step 6 with two more tabs that are opposite each other.  Sorry for the blurry photo.  I didn't realize it was blurry until I went to edit the photo.  You can still see what I'm talking about though.

Step 8:  Repeat step 6 again with the last two tabs.

Step 9:  Fold in the top of the box so it looks like a star with six points.

Step 10:  Pinch together one point of the star and punch a hole through it using a 1/8" circle punch.

Step 11:  Repeat step 10 until you've punched holes through all six points of the star.

Step 12:  Thread 16" of ribbon through the holes and tie it shut.  Decorate your box as desired.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Bright Hopes
Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, So Saffron
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Ribbon
Punches:  1/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, Bitty Shapes, Petite Pennants Builder, Extra Large Tag, Large Tag
Big Shot:  Mini Milk Carton Die

Halloween Box

This morning when I took the kids to school it was chilly outside and very foggy.  I guess that put me in a Fall mood because when I sat down to stamp I immediately pulled out my Halloween stamps.  I saw the cutest Halloween box in the September Stampin' Success magazine (a newsletter for Stampin' Up! demonstrators) so I had to make my own.  Of course I made a few changes along the way.

 

The Batty for You stamp set is my favorite Halloween stamp set.  I love stamping the images, layering them like the one picture above, and attaching them to Peppermint Patties.  They also make great gift tags or accents on cards and boxes. 

I just realized that I forgot to do one thing on this project--add googly eyes to the spider.  I'll have to fix that.

With the help of my Big Shot, this project was so quick and easy to make.  The box was cut out using the Fancy Favor die and the Basic Black layer was embossed using the Spider Web embossing folder. 

The handle is an 8 1/2" x 1" piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  I had a spool of this Halloween ribbon sitting in my stash, so I decided to add it to the handle to dress it up a little bit.  I used a couple of black brads to help reinforce the handle.

This box is the perfect size to fill with a cello bag full of chocolates or some other treat.  You'll notice that I don't have anything in mine.  That's because I would eat all of that chocolate before Halloween even got here and I could give it away.  I will wait until the night before I give it away to fill it with candy.  I just know myself too well so I don't even tempt myself. 

Be sure to stop back by my blog on Wednesday.  I have a huge SURPRISE for all of you that you don't want to miss out on!  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Batty for You
Paper:  Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Ink:  Basic Black
Accessories:  Black Brads, Dimensionals,
Punches:  Circle (1 1/4", 1 3/8"), Scalloped Circle
Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Die, Spider Web Embossing Folder